admin
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national cricket team captain Brendan Taylor heaped praises on his team following their seven wicket win in their final ICC World Cup Twenty20 warm-up match against Afghanistan in Bangladesh’s Chittagong yesterday. Zimbabwe bounced back from an embarrassing defeat against Hong Kong who beat them on the last ball on Wednesday.
Afghanistan was the first to bat and set a target of 168 runs after 20 overs.
Opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza led Zimbabwe’s chase, scoring an immaculate 93 runs off 52 balls.
Sikandar Raza hit 27 runs from 24 balls with Taylor getting 15 runs from 20 balls while Sean Williams and Elton Chigumbura not out scored 16 runs each.
“We had a solid all round performance against Afghanistan which is something that we wanted especially going to the opening World Cup game on Monday. Obviously this victory lifts our spirits but as much as we are pleased with it we mustn’t be stuck in it because we still need to keep our composure and improve on our shortcomings.
“If we carry our form to the group stage I am confident that we will make it into the next round of the competition,” said Taylor.
Zimbabwe needs to finish top of Group B comprising Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates to progress to the main stage of the tournament.
Zimbabwe open their campaign with what is expected to be their toughest challenge in the qualifiers against an ambitious Ireland side on Monday, then play the Netherlands two days later before completing preliminary group stage action against the United Arab Emirates on Friday.
If they make it beyond the preliminary group stage, Zimbabwe will face cricket powerhouses South Africa on March 27, New Zealand two days later and England on March 31 in Group 1. Only two teams will qualify for the semi-finals and Zimbabwe will have to spring a shocker to make it to the last four.
“We are not taking any team lightly and I am sure they are not taking us lightly as well. The gap between associates and affiliates is reducing and it’s good to see world cricket developing. It can be anyone’s game on any day which makes us even more optimistic to make it even through to the semi-finals,” Taylor said.
Meanwhile, local franchise cricket continues today with two Pro-50 One Day matches in Bulawayo and Mutare.
Matabeleland Tuskers, last season’s losing finalists take on defending champions Mashonaland Eagles at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of cricket Queens Sports Club while Manicaland Mountaineers play host to MidWest Rhinos.
Pro-50 Log
Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR
Rocks 4 3 0 0 1 15 +1.367
Eagles 3 2 1 0 0 8 +0.272
Tuskers 3 1 2 0 0 4 -0.191
Rhinos 3 1 2 0 0 4 -1.349
Mountaineers 3 0 2 0 1 2 -0.200
Online Reporter